Disney College Program Packing List Part 1- Bedroom

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! I hope you have all had a fantastic day, free of stress and unneeded questions. I hope everyone's belly is full, and that you're looking forward to the month or so to come before we go to Disney.

Today, I am grateful for so many things. I am grateful to have a family who loves me and friends who are always there to support me. I am grateful to have a roof over my head and a warm bed to sleep in, when so many people don't have those luxuries. I am grateful for good food, for knowing my grandmothers recipes after years of cooking at her side. I miss her and my aunt, who both passed away a few years ago, but I'm grateful for the time that I spent with them, and the support they showed me my whole life.

But those are things I am grateful for everyday. I work hard at making sure not to take advantage of the little things I have that others don't. Simple things.

Today, I am also grateful for the chance to participate in the Disney College Program. After applying several times, I had all but given up on the idea of getting to participate. I am grateful for the chance to take classes from Disney professionals, and to learn what I love. I'm grateful for my future roommates, who are fantastic and fun, who I cannot wait to meet. I am grateful for my friends who I've made on Facebook and Tumblr. I'm grateful for you for taking the time to read the thing I choose to share.

More than anything, I hope you are happy this weekend. I hope you find joy and warmth in the little things. What are you thankful for?

Making Decisions: Taking Classes

Wahhhhhh! Class registration is open! THIS IS NOT A DRILL! Okay, I’ve calmed down now. Some of you may be going “Psssssh, classes? I don’t want to take a class, this is my break from school!” And that is completely respectable. I myself will admit to having felt a sense triumph when my advisor and teachers reminded me that it is time to sign up for classes, because I’m going to Disney! No school for me! However, Disney classes are different! Hopefully you’ve read the emails that went out, but let’s get into a bit more detail for those of you who haven’t been obsessively look at the course syllabus for the last several years.
What are Disney classes?!
Disney offers several different types of classes for it’s college program participants. There are 3 categories of classes: Collegiate, Exploration, and Professional Development. Each category presents it’s own unique set of classes and learning experience, which should be taken advantage of! If you’re taking classes through school for one reason or another, you can also sign up for Distance Learning, which we will get more into latter.

How many classes can I take?

In the past, you could only take 2 classes (this includes a distance learning class you might be taking through school). Things are running a bit differently now. You can still only take 2 classes at a time, but you have the opportunity to take 2 “mini semesters” through the Disney Exploration series. So while Collegiate courses and the Professional Development series still run the normal length, the Exploration series is now 4 weeks long. So you can take 4 exploration classes, 2 collegiate classes, 2 exploration classes and a professional class, etc. Make sense?

What are the different series? 

Collegiate classes - These are exactly what they sound like. Classes designed to act as credit for school. You’ll have a text book, homework, paper, it’ll be just like school! The difference, of course, is that you’ll be learning the Disney way, learning from Disney professionals, who have experience with what they’re teaching you. You must be receiving school credit to be eligible to take these classes and must provide proof from your school that you are receiving credit. If you are not receiving credit, you can be put on the waiting list, but know that people receiving credit who are on the waiting list receive first priority.  There are currently 6 collegiate courses being offered, and at the end of the course you’ll receive your Ducktorate!

• Disney Advanced Studies In Hospitality Management
• Disney Corporate Analysis
• Disney Corporate Communications
• Disney Creativity and Innovation
• Disney Human Resource Management
• Disney Organizational Leadership

Disney Exploration Series - Disney’s exploration series is home to Disney's most popular class - Disney Heritage (which has now been split into 2 classes!). The Exploration series explores the Disney way, from it’s history to it’s environmental impact. These classes are highly interactive, with field experience offered in several classes. There are currently 9 classes being offered and at the end you’ll receive your Mousters!

• Disney Environmentality & Sustainability: Creating a Green Culture
• Disney Heritage:1901-1954
• Disney Hospitality & Guest Service
• Disney Cast Engagement & Human Resources
• Disney Environmentality & Sustainability: Inspiring Action
• Disney Heritage:1955-1982
• Disney Leadership 101
• Disney Marketing and Sales: Defining the Strategy
• Disney Marketing and Sales: Implementing the Strategy

Proffesional Development Studies - These classes are offered to specific majors only, and are very limited in the number of seats available. There are currently only 2 classes available in this category, and at the end of the course you'll recieve your Mousters!

• Engineering Professional Development Study
• Entertainment Professional Development Study

Distance learning - Distance learning is set up for students who are taking classes through school and need time set aside for class. Disney offers a 4 hour block, set aside at the same time each week for students to use for homework, classes, tests, etc. CPs enrolled in Distance learning will find their hours capped of at 45 hours a week, except on busy weeks (i.e. Spring Break). Many people see this as a reason to not sign up for the course, but most roles rarely work more than 45 hours a week anyway.

Which class should I take?

So you've decided to take a class. Yay! I'm so excited for you! Now, I'm sure you're wondering which class is for you! Now you need to sit down and decide what you're looking for in a class.

Are you looking for classes that offer field experience? 

• Disney's Environmentality & Sustainability:Creating a Green Culture 
• Disney Environmentality & Sustainability:Inspiring Action
• Disney Heritage:1955-1982
• Engineering Professional Development Study
• Entertainment Professional Development Study
  

 Are you a hospitality/customer service/human resources/similar major?

• Disney Advanced Studies in Hospitality Management
• Disney Human Resource Management
• Disney Organizational Leadership
• Disney Hospitality & Guest Service
• Disney Cast Engagement & Human Resources
• Disney Leadership 101

Are you interested in Disney History or how Disney helps the community?

• Disney Environmentality & Sustainability:Creating a Green Culture
• Disney Heritage:1901-1954 
• Disney Environmentality & Sustainability:Inspiring Action
• Disney Heritage:1955-1982 

Sit down and figure out what classes are best for you. Make sure you're looking at the list of classes sent to you from DORMS, not at the list on the on boarding website. As soon as you know what class you want to take, be sure to sign up, as many classes fill up quick! If the class you want is full, don't give up hope! Be sure to put yourself on the wait list, you never know when a spot will open up!

I'm going to be taking Disney Heritage: 1901-1954 and Disney Leadership 101 for the first mini semester on Wednesdays! If you're going to be in one of my classes, feel free to stop by and say hello! If you're NOT going to be in one of my classes, still feel free to stop by and say hello! I'll see you all soon!

Making Decisions: What Should You Be Doing Right Now? (November)

   Welcome November! We are now a whole month closer to Disney than we were yesterday! (And yet, only one day closer...) As the number of days between then and now shrinks, I find myself itchy to start getting ready. I want to pack, plan, and go! But we still have 71 days until the first check in (mine!) and there isn't a lot you should be doing. So what CAN you do right now?

1. Make Your Hotel Reservations.If you haven't already, you need to make your hotel reservations now. You don't want to risk losing out on a room, or that the price might go up. Reservations can always been changed or canceled, and Disney will fully refund your room up to five days in advance.
2. Book Your Flight/Rental Car. If you are flying to Orlando or renting a car, now is the time to book. Make sure you always search incognito mode, so that it's not storing your cookies and increasing the price every time you search. Check all of the different websites and search for promo codes before you purchase your plane ticket. 
3. Make Dining Reservations. If you are planning on doing any dinning at Disney before check in (or during that week) now is the time to make ADR's (Advanced Dining Reservations). Talk with your roommates, see if they want to do dinner when you first get there and make a reservation! Some places book quickly, and ADR's can be booked up to 180 days in advance.
4. Pack Your Summer Clothes In Space Bags. If you live in a cold weather climate, like me, you're headed into winter! While everyone else is still enjoying Fall, PSL's, and cool weather, you know it's time to break out the winter coat. So, instead of putting your summer clothes away until it's time to pack, why not go ahead and START packing? Wash your clothes with those awesome fresh protect beads, dry them, and pack them into a space bag. Take a fabric softener sheet, put it into a Ziploc baggie with holes poked into it, and place between every few items of clothes. Putting it into the baggie prevents the fabric softener from staining your clothes. Suck the air out and store it somewhere it will be ready to go! TIP: DCP housing has vacuums on loan, but these vacuums do not have the hose attachment needed to suck the air out of your space bag on the way home. This is a cheap, easy, simple solution, but takes a while to come in the mail, so order at least a month before you need it!
5. Find Roommates! If you haven't already, now is the time to be finding roommates! Check Facebook for groups specific to your dates and role! They are a great way to find roommates and friends! I've posted the standard blank roommate survey on my side bar, to be found here, for anyone who might be looking for it! Finding roommates can be daunting, but don't lose faith! The perfect roommates are out there for you if you're just willing to put in the time! 
6. Start Swimming. If you've been chosen for the lifeguard role, now is a good time to begin swimming! Try visiting your local Y or school pool to practice for your swim test! All lifeguards must pass a swim test before they can go through training. Anyone who cannot pass the test will be assigned a different role, usually QSFB. So, practicing before you get there is always recommended. There are separate tests for deep and shallow guards, but since you won't know your location until you get to Disney, it's best to be prepared for the deep water test. For Disney's certification you need to be able to swim 200yds continuously without stopping or letting your feet touch the ground. Swim 25yds, surface dive (meaning from inside the pool), retrieve a 10lb brick, and swim 25yds on your back without your hands. And finally, you'll need to be able to tread water with your hands above your head for 2 minutes. TIP: Almost all pools have a 10lb brick at easy disposal for in-service training. If you ask nicely, they should allow you to use the brick for practicing!
7. Make Sure You Have Proper Identification. This means your drivers license AND social security card (or birth certificate) OR just your passport. If you do have them, put them someplace safe until it is time to go. If you do not have them, make sure you are going through the process of getting a replacement as soon as possible so that you have it on time!

   Unfortunately, that's all you really can do for now. As long as the wait to find out is, it's nothing compared to the wait to get there! While we wait, feel free to stop by and say hi, let me know if you have any questions, or just come be friends.